According
to the statistics released by the Oral Health Foundation, nearly half of all
adults in the UK have a real fear of going to the dentist. Of these, 12% suffer
from extreme anxiety that is akin to a phobia. As if that wasn't bad enough, a
visit to the dentist is the #1 reason for making people nervous. Thankfully,
modern dentistry experts, such asWeybridge
dental care, have a range of solutions in
place to help allay these fears. They won't make you excited about going to the
dentist but once there they will make the whole thing way less stressful.
My Teeth Look Fine, Do I Really Need to Go to the Dentist?
Good dental health is an integral part of your general well being and it's very important to remember that oral health isn't all about tooth decay or toothache. It actually has a much wider-reaching impact on your health than most of us realize. Research carried out over the past decade revealed that there is growing evidence that links poor oral health with such health conditions and dementia, diabetes, heart disease and problems suffered through pregnancy. Despite these findings, almost 50% of the UK population don't like their teeth, 31% of UK adults currently have some degree of tooth decay and 29% regularly suffer from toothache.
What Are My Options?
Sedatives are now widely used as relaxants within a dental surgery and those who have been sedated during treatment report a much-improved experience once in that dreaded dentist’s chair. There are several techniques used to administer the sedatives and your dentist will talk to you about which is the best one for you. The following are the main three ways that dentists will use to sedate their patients;
Oral- Best suited for anxiety classed as mild to moderate, this sedation takes the form of a pill which the patient takes before their appointment. Depending on which drug is given this could be taken the night before, or an hour before the appointment. This sedative affects the area of the brain which is responsible for anxiety and fear. The result is a feeling of calmness and relaxation.
Inhalation- If you have used gas and air during the delivery of a child you will know exactly how this potent combination can both relieve pain and bring about a state of relaxation.Nitrous Oxide mixed with Oxygen is commonly used in dentists surgeries and has the added benefits of being quick-acting and wearing off quite quickly afterwards. Although you may feel relaxed and drowsy you will still be awake and be able to talk to the dentist.
Intravenous- This drug is fed directly into your veins by way of a needle, cannula, in either your arm or the back of the hand. The patient will be awake and able to communicate but will feel way less anxious and very relaxed about the whole thing. Afterwards, the patient will remember little of the procedure which takes a lot of pressure off the dentist as they can carry out their work easily and safely without worrying about the patient leaping from the chair.
These are solutions for anxiety and not a replacement for anaesthetic. As this is the core of most peoples fear the sedative will be given first.
After Effects
Sedation affects everyone differently and whilst it is considered safe for all the recovery period can differ from patient to patient. It's generally advised not to attend appointments alone if you are being sedated and don't drive yourself. Your coordination and motor skills may be affected for up to 24 hours, as well as your ability to make important decisions so never schedule an appointment with your solicitor or bank manager after your visit to the dentist!
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